Stick a Fork in the Midori MD
Jul. 19th, 2025 02:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ninagobragh
I finished a notebook this week!
It was my A5 lined Midori MD—one of my absolute favorite notebooks and easily one of the best brands out there for journaling. I’ve been using it for my Mishnah Yomi notes ever since I filled up my Grolier, so technically, this is notebook number two that I’ve finished this year. Not bad, right?
Why I Love Midori Notebooks
It all comes down to this: Midori MDs are simple. Minimalist. Just the right amount of structure and elegance without trying too hard. I’m partial to the lined version because of that subtle division line through the middle of the page. It makes it easy to start one series of notes on the top half and another on the bottom half. Which is perfect since those halves of my brain work independently.
I do add a little protection: I use a pink paper notebook cover to guard the delicate paper cover from tears and crinkles. It’s inexpensive, and totally worth it to keep these beautiful books in good shape when I jostle them around in my bag or shove them a bit too enthusiastically away for the day.
What’s Next
Right now, I’m studying a shorter tractate (iykyk), so I’ve switched to a smaller notebook: a Creator’s Friend dot grid. Remember my post about them? I popped over to their website recently, and wow—they’ve got some exciting new layouts! I’m now rethinking my stance on buying from them again:
Planning Ahead
Once I’m done with Zevachim, I’ll need to pick a new notebook—and I’ve narrowed it down to two:
It was my A5 lined Midori MD—one of my absolute favorite notebooks and easily one of the best brands out there for journaling. I’ve been using it for my Mishnah Yomi notes ever since I filled up my Grolier, so technically, this is notebook number two that I’ve finished this year. Not bad, right?
Why I Love Midori Notebooks
It all comes down to this: Midori MDs are simple. Minimalist. Just the right amount of structure and elegance without trying too hard. I’m partial to the lined version because of that subtle division line through the middle of the page. It makes it easy to start one series of notes on the top half and another on the bottom half. Which is perfect since those halves of my brain work independently.
I do add a little protection: I use a pink paper notebook cover to guard the delicate paper cover from tears and crinkles. It’s inexpensive, and totally worth it to keep these beautiful books in good shape when I jostle them around in my bag or shove them a bit too enthusiastically away for the day.
What’s Next
Right now, I’m studying a shorter tractate (iykyk), so I’ve switched to a smaller notebook: a Creator’s Friend dot grid. Remember my post about them? I popped over to their website recently, and wow—they’ve got some exciting new layouts! I’m now rethinking my stance on buying from them again:
- A Weekly Dashboard notebook for weekly planning and tracking (yes, please).
- A Fast Brain Planner aimed at students but honestly useful for anyone juggling a lot.
- A Future Planner focused on long-term planning (and yes, it looks fantastic).
Planning Ahead
Once I’m done with Zevachim, I’ll need to pick a new notebook—and I’ve narrowed it down to two:
- Moleskine Cahier Pro – I’ve got both the Large and the X-Large on my shelf. I’m unsure about the layout for Mishnah notes, but I could definitely make it work.
- Another Midori A5 – Because let’s be honest: if it ain’t broke…
